I have been on methotrexate for a good eight years but it had to be stopped because of the nausea I was experiencing. I have also been taking Infliximab for nearly two year in November... I'm a little annoyed! Today I went for my first infusion after stopping the methotrexate at which point they decide to inform me that the infliximab may lose its effectiveness - something that they had not metnioned to me beforehand. I suppose now I'm just a little concerned that I've made a mistake - I don't what symptoms return at the expense of no nausea. I just wondered if this has happened to anyone? Has their Crohns been affected by stopping the methotrexate but continuing solely on Infliximab?

They tend to give methotrexate and azathioprine/6MP because it slows down the making of anti-bodies to infliximab/adalimumab. That's the problem :( I don't think you've made a mistake quitting methotrexate because 8 years is a really long time on such a powerful drug! But that's just me...

A lot of people whether on infliximab alone or infliximab with methotrexate, azathioprine, etc. tend to develop anti-bodies within a year. So a 2-year period on it with no symptoms is great! So maybe you won't feel a big change after all. I'd tell you to try azathioprine if you get worse now that you're off methotrexate but because of the increased risk of developing a lymphoma you can only take azathioprine for 6 months while on infliximab. But then again, 6 months is a lot!

How long have you been symptoms free?

Hope my answer helps...21 yr. old with crohn colitis. Diagnosed in March 2004. No surgeries so far.